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Valenzuela to be inducted into Caribbean Hall of Fame

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By Ken Gurnick

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela will be inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Valenzuela -- whose arrival from the Mexican League in 1980 led to "Fernandomania" and a National League Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year Award, All-Star berth and World Series ring in 1981 -- is now a team broadcaster. Jaime Jarrin, now Valenzuela's broadcast partner and then his interpreter, will accompany Valenzuela to the induction, as will former manager Tommy Lasorda and Dodgers vice president Lon Rosen.

"I'm happy to accept this honor," Valenzuela said. "I started my career in Sonora, Mexico, playing for Navojoa, and also played in Hermosillo, where I am headed back tomorrow. It's nice to return to the place where I got started. I'm also very happy to be joined by Dodger colleagues and friends and my former manager this Sunday. Mexico has always been very important to the Dodgers and I thank them being there for me, for this continues to show that."

Valenzuela will throw out the first pitch Friday at the opening of Estadio Sonora ballpark before the start of the 2013 Caribbean World Series.

The park is near Valenzuela's birthplace. He is being honored for both his play in the Major Leagues as well as the Mexican League, where his career began before the Dodgers purchased his contract in 1979.